Hairpin holder



J. HORNICEK HAIRPIN HOLDER July 7, 1931.

Filed May 22, 1930 n" he) Patented July 7, 1931 JERRY HORNICEK, 0F COB-AOPOLIS, PENNSYLVANIA HAIRPIN' HOLDER Application filed May 22,

My invention consists of an improvement in hairpin holders, particularly designed for the purpose of inserting and releasing that type of hairpins known as bohbette pins.

In such pins the side pmngs are resilient so as to close inwardly for grasping a wisp of hair, one of the. prongs being corrugated and the other straight, or both of one shape or the other.

In inserting such pins it is necessary to do so with the prongs temporarily separated for clamping action atter release, and such operation is usually done by the fingers of the operator. In my invention I provide a simple efiicient holder, adapted to receive and hold the pin fixedly in position with the resilient prongs separated, and adapted to be released by the holder after having lirmly clamped the hair between the prongs.

One preferred form of the device is shown in the aceon'ipanying drawings, in which 2- Fig. 1 is a view of the device in side elevation with a hairpin placed in proper position for separation;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross section on the line IIII of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of Fig. 1

Fig. 4: is a view like Fi g. l with the prongs separated by the spreading wedge;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross section on the line VV of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of Fig. 4;

F 7 is a perspective view of a hairpin in normal closed position;

Fig. 8 is a similar view showing the hair pin prongs spread apart by the separating wedge of the holder;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal vertical sectional View of the device, showing a modified construction providing a limiting stop for the resilient arm.

The holder as a Whole is preferably made of a single strip of resilient metal, as steel, brass, etc, comprising a main base, wall or side 2 and an opposite resilient tongue or arm 3.

The arm 3 is a continuation of the base 2,- being rounded or bent on itself, as .at 4.

The main base or side 2 is preferably stiffened by bending the side edges inwardly 1930. Serial No. 454,530.

as at 5, and the outer front face portion is provided with a centering socket for reception of the inner rounded end of the hairpin A. The pin as shown is composed of a piece of a thin narrow strip of metal rounded upon itself at the rear end a, and with one of the shank portions corrugated as shown.

At the front end of the base 2 is a guiding loop (3, pressed outwardly from the metal beyond at'ansverse clearance space 7, both being suliicicntly wide to allow for distention ot the prongs, and for passage of the separating terminal of the spring 8, as hereinafter described.

Rearwardly beyond the guide 6 is a supplemental similar slightly tapered guide 8, also punched oiiitwardly from the main trans verse body of the metal, while a rear guiding and holding socket 9 made in the same manner, i. e., by slitting and punching the metal outwardly from the main web or body 2.

The rear guide or socket 5) is rounded to conform to the curvature of the rear end a of the hairpin, which seats against it when inserted.

The spring extension arm 3 is turned inwardly at substantially right angles to form the wedge terminal 10 having the sharpened tip in longitudinal alinement with the center of the device. Normally, the point of the wedge W is retracted below the main wall 2, beyond the insertion space for the pin.

iVhen the pin is inserted and the spring arm 3 is pressed inwardly, the point of the wedge enters between the prongs and separates them, as in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and S.

The hairpin in such position, with the wedge held inwardly for separation by the user, is then thrust into the hair, and spring,

arm 3 is released, allowing the prongs to close and grasp the hair, while at the same time permitting withdrawal of the holder from the rear portion of the pin.

In Fig. 9 I show a modified construction providing limiting means for outward move ment of the spring arm 3. For such purpose the back 2 is punched out as at 11, partly severin g a longitudinal strip or tongue 12 which is bent inwardly, passed through a clearance opening 13 of tongue 8 and bent over, providing a limiting terminal flange 14. By such or equivalent means, as a rivet extension, the spring arm 3 is limited to the desired outward movement in opening.

The construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and appreciated from the foregoing description. It is comparatively simple, cheap, easily made and used, and is well adapted to the objects in view as described.

\Vhat I claim is 1. A hairpin holder having a holding socket and a dividing device for separating the hairpin prongs.

2. A hairpin holder having a receiving socket for the closed end of the hairpin and a dividing device for separating its prongs.

3. A hairpin holder having a holding socket and a spring retracted dividing derice for separating the hairpin prongs.

l. A hairpin holder having a supporting so provided with guiding extensions and a ring retracted separating wedge.

A hairpin holder having a supporting base provided With guiding extensions and a spring arm having a terminal separating wedge.

6. A hairpin holder of the class described consisting of a holding base having a transverse clearance opening, guides on the base, and a resilient arm having a prong-separating extension operable through said opening.

A hairpin holder having a holding socket and a spring retracted dividing device for separating the hairpin prongs, and means limiting outward movement of the dividing device.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my sign ature.

JERRY HORNICEK. 

